(I'm sorry for such long post.. I'll try my best to organize it.)
Hello,
I have finally decided to try my idea (discussed here) of building a semi-high-end computer in a custom-case with 6 high quality ultra-low RPM fans (120mmm @ ~375 RPM).
(I ended up buying several "NoiseBlocker PL-1" fans because: they were 12€ instead of the 18€ that the "NoiseBlocker M12"s cost; and they use the same technology, but with a normal frame.)
Objectives:
- powerful computer
- inaudible(down to 30 cm)
- without high temperatures
- without dust
- want it to last for "7 to 10" years
Uses:
- Audio/music recording
- Casual gaming (not very new games)
- Watching TV / Video
- listening to music, using the internet, etc
Components
Components that i have bought already:
- Processor: Intel Q9550
- Mainboard: X38 high end
- RAM: 4 modules of DDR2 800 (with ECC)
- storage: Intel X25-M SSD
- GraphicsCard: ATI 4670
- CPU cooler: Scythe Orochi (@passive)
- Fans:
- - 1 x NoiseBlocker M12-S1 (@5v: 312 RPM)
- 5 x NoiseBlocker PL-1 (@5v: 375 RPM)
- GraphicsCard Cooler;
- Power Supply;
In the future I only expect to add a TV-tuner card and a second SSD (when prices fall..).
Context:
- I'm thinking of building a big desktop case with 50cm x 50cm
- Either [50x50x~25cm] or a cube[50x50x50cm]. (that would be a monster case! )
- (motherboard in horizontal position)
- Very big Filter with big distance to the Fans to not restrict the airflow.
- [edit:] The idea is to distribute the cold airflow through all components (giving special attention to the hottest ones), and to avoid having the airflow to any hot component having passed through other hot component. So there is a path for PSU, a path for the GFCard, and a path for the CPU.
- [edit] The only "mechanical" components are the fans, there will be no internal hdds nor optical drives.
- [edit:] The intake fans (i.e. 4 of the total fans) are "internal": they will be >10cm within the Case, with a big filter between them and the nearest open side.
- Scheme of the idea:
(Note: The SSD is not there, because I can decide later where to put it, since it is very small and has no cooling requirements.)
Help request
I would appreciate any comment on my idea as a whole, and particularly I ask you to please help me decide these last two components:
By your experience and knowledge,
GraphicsCard Cooler
I'm thinking of either a AC-Accelero-S1 or a AC-Accelero-L2-Pro without it's fan.
As it is a horizontal mount, the fins of the S1 wouldn't stand in a good direction for low-airflow cooling...
I think the L2pro could be mounted with the fins vertical (can it?), but would the L2pro be able to handle the 4670 without the fan?
Do you know other affordable options for my 4670? (i think once i saw a vga cooler from Scythe...) [I don't want to spend much on this, or I might as well just buy another card that has already passive cooling...]
PowerSupply
Of how many watts do you think the PSU would need to be?
I want a PSU with 12cm fan @ Zero to 400 RPM.
I think I have two options:
PCP&C Silencer 750
- I already have a Silencer750 (I know it is too powerful, but was the high-quality psu i could find at the time) which for some time I thought about modding by replacing the 80mm fan with a 120mm (mounted externally), but in the specifications is stated that the original fan does between 22CFM and 55CFM. I think that would mean a minimum ~600RPM 12cm fan, which doesn't suit what I want...
- Since the PSU will be in a separate chamber and I won't be using more than half of the PSU's capacity for sure, I wonder if it would be sufficient a fan that could spin at [375 to 900]RPM.
- I have thought of trying it, but I'm afraid I would damage the PSU because I don't know what would happen when giving the PSU a considerably smaller airflow than the minimum it expects...
Do you think the PSU would instantly increase the speed if it needed, without getting damaged nor decreasing it's life?
Seasonic X-650
(I think a 400w would be more than enough, but here I can only find the 650w and 750w models.)
I consider buying a Seasonic X-650 if really needed... (ouch! @ price)
I guess this would be perfect(if i don't count the price), since the PSU would be separate from the rest of the components the fan would probabbly usually not even spin...
Do you think the airflow of the case would be too little for the PSU?
Other options (if you think I can't use the Silencer750):
- "Enermax Pro87+ 500w" but that doesn't have all capacitors japanese, I fear it might have worse quality, is only ~30 euros less than the Seasonic and it's fan would spin at 330RPM, but it is a 14cm fan, so it would correspond to a higher RPM 12cm fan (wonder how high?)
- "Enermax Pro82+" but it isn't possible to change the problematic fan, and even if I could, probabbly it would have to spin too fast.
- Do you see other option? (I want a high quality PSU with all japanese capacitors, at least bronze efficiency and either fanless or less than 450RPM, with a silent fan, or a fan that can be swapped)
So what do you think?
Thankyou for reading and for any comments/help.